Teens for Jeans links high school students and Ventura's homeless

A group of Ventura teens hopes to collecting 500 pairs of new and used jeans by Jan. 4 to donate to local shelters and charities for the homeless.

Courtesy photo

In the spirit of giving to those in need this holiday season, a group of teens is collecting new and used jeans to donate to local shelters and charities for the homeless.

"We are asking the community's help as we continue working toward reaching our New Year's goal," said Xelina Miramontes, adviser of Teen Voice, a high school leadership program sponsored by the city of Ventura that operates on five campuses throughout Ventura.

"We are hoping to unite city and county employees, individual high school students and staff, faith-based organizations, neighbors and family members by requesting their support and participation in this project."

The project, Teens for Jeans, aims to reap at least 500 pairs of jeans by Jan. 4 for later distribution to The Harbor Church and to Catholic Charities.

The designated donation site is at the Community Services Department, Room 226 of Ventura City Hall.

"We are collecting new and used adult men and women's jeans of all sizes and styles; however, the greatest need is for men's jeans, particularly sizes 32 to 36," Miramontes said. "Since our final distribution day is Jan. 4, we will be accepting jeans up until Jan. 4. After Jan. 4, donations can be sent directly to The Harbor Church or Catholic Charities."

Brenda Garcia, 17, has already donated seven pairs of her own jeans.

"My mom is still pulling out jeans from her closet. She just had a baby so she's getting rid of jeans she knows she won't be able to fit in for awhile," said Garcia, one of seven girls involved with Teen Voice who created Teens for Jeans.

"I also have other family members who have given me bags of jeans. Right now, I have 70 pairs of jeans in my garage," she said.

The mission of Teen Voice is to build positive relationships between high school students and the community by providing students opportunities for community involvement and betterment of their schools, neighborhoods and city.

The program, fostered by Mario Robinson, supervisor of the city's youth programs, also aims to provide students with positive ways to develop leadership skills, self-esteem and confidence to resist peer pressure as well as team building, friendships and connections with professionals and community leaders.

"The Teen Voice students could have chosen many projects but wanted to support homeless in Ventura," Robinson said. "They understand people are homeless for many reasons and want to make sure everyone in the community is supported and feel people do care about their situation."

Teens for Jeans showed that anyone — regardless of age — can do great things, he said.